Georgia Governors

Historical List of Georgia Governors

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, Georgia chief executives have carried the title of ‘governor.’

Trustee Period

James Edward Oglethorpe, Resident Trustee - 1733-1743 (The charter of the Georgia prohibited trustees from holding any formal office in the colony. Though he held no civilian title, James Oglethorpe represented the trustees during his stay in Georgia and served as de facto chief executive)

James Wright, Royal Governor - 1760-1776 (When the revolutionaries took control in 1776, Wright fled from Georgia. he returned in 1779 and continued as royal governor of the British-held part of Georgia until 1782)

John Wereat, President of Supreme Executive Council - 1779-1780 (The patriots were divided into two factions. One elected Wereat and the other elected George Walton)

George Walton, elected by irregular assembly - 1779-1780 (The patriots were divided into two factions. One elected Walton and the other elected John Wereat)

Richard Howley - 1780 (Howley was elected both governor and representative to the Continental Congress. He chose to go to Congress in February)

Humphrey Wells - 1780

Stephen Heard, President of Executive Council - 1780 (The office of governor was briefly held by George Wells, President of the Executive Council, who was killed in a duel with James Jackson. For two days, he was replaced by Humphrey Wells before Stephen Heard took office)

Myrick Davies, President of Executive Council - 1780-1781 (When Stephen Heard moved to North Carolina, he was briefly replaced by Myrick Davies, who was killed. Nathan Brownson was then chosen by the General Assembly)

Herman E. Talmadge - 1947 (Eugene Talmadge won the election but died on December 21, 1946, before taking office. The legislature elected his son, Herman Talmadge, to serve the remainder of the term. Talmadge served from January to March 1947, when the Georgia Supreme Court ruled his election unconstitutional. Lieutentant Governor Melvin Thompson then served as acting governor until a special election could be held. That election, held in September 1948, was won by Herman Talmadge, who took office in November 1948 to serve the two remaining years of his father’s term)

Melvin E. Thompson - 1947-1948 (Eugene Talmadge won the election but died on December 21, 1946, before taking office. The legislature elected his son, Herman Talmadge, to serve the remainder of the term. Talmadge served from January to March 1947, when the Georgia Supreme Court ruled his election unconstitutional. Lieutentant Governor Melvin Thompson then served as acting governor until a special election could be held. That election, held in September 1948, was won by Herman Talmadge, who took office in November 1948 to serve the two remaining years of his father’s term)